Naina press the bell and heard a loud shriek voice of her chirpy friend... Preeti pulled her in a tight hug standing at door itself, getting so much excited, "wow... tu yahaan... sach tujhe hi yaad kar rahi thi... bohot man kar raha tha tujhse milne ka..."

Naina hugged her back saying, "tujhe kya laga ki mujhe nahin pata kal tera birthday hai... maine socha kyun na aaj raat se hi celebration karein... poori raat masti and fun... sirf hum donon... what say..."

Preeti smiled wiping a lone tear from her eyes, "tujhe pata lag gaya... thank you Naina, mein bataa nahin sakti aaj tujhe yahaan yun dekh kar mujhe kitni Khushi mil rahi hai... aaj toh bhagwan se kuchh aur bhi maangati toh mil jaata..."

Naina smiled seeing her craziness, "buddhu mein bhi koi maangane ki cheez hoon... mein toh vaise bhi teri apni hoon... haan maangana tha toh mere bhai ko maang leti... bechare gareeb ka bhi kuchh bhala ho jaata..."

Preeti laughed winking to her, "isase achchha toh mein kuchh khaane ke liye maang leti... tera bhukkad bhai khaane ki soongh se apne aap hi aa jaata... like ek ke saath ek muft.. khaane ke saath Pandit muft... muft... muft..."

They both laughed crazily and went inside locking the door behind... Naina keeping the cake in freeze asked, "hmm... toh ab bata kahaan se shuruaat karein..." they both decided and planned to cook all Preeti's favorite dishes together....

They both chatted whole time and enjoyed having full fun time all alone... settling dinner at table Naina felt relieved seeing Preeti back in her bubbly mood, "subah se udaas thi, ab jaakar chehre par vahi pyaari si hansi aayi hai... thank god Sameerji ne mujhe permission de di varna bechari kitna akela feel karti... koi nahin tha jo usko wish karta..."

Her chain of thoughts soon shifted to him, making her stop eating anymore, "par Sameerji bhi akele honge... pata nahin dinner kiya ki nahin abhi tak... kaash phone karke puchh sakti... par kahin yeh na soche ki kitna over-react kar rahi hun... vaise bhi unhein mera shayad kuchh kehna, yun haq jatana pasand na aaye..." she feels hurt thinking as till date they are not even comfortable to call each other without reason... she picked up her mobile in hand but denied her thought of calling him, realized that they never called each other even once...

Preeti looked at Naina who didn't even touch her food till now, all lost in her own thoughts, "oye madam... khaana kyun nahin khaa rahi... hai toh mere saath par kagta hai kisi aur ke khayalo mein khoyi huyi hai... kisi ki yaad aa rahi hai kya... lagta hai tu yahaan hai aur tera dil abhi tak office mein hi hai..." she said to tease her with a wink, pointing towards Sameer...

Naina stood with a jerk keeping her mobile back on table, tried to avoid her suspicious... she said leaving hurriedly, "chup kar aur apne dimaag ke ghode jyaada mat dauda... mein kitchen se paani lekar aati hoon abhi..." she left hurriedly into kitchen...

Naina came back holding glasses in hand when saw Preeti was staring her with a shocking look.... not knowing the reason, she asked, "oye ab tujhe kyun saanp sungh gaya... aise kyun ghoor rahi hai, khaana khaa na apna..." she jerked her slightly to get her back in senses...

Preeti slowly lifted her hand, turned Naina's mobile screen to her showing their picture... Naina looked at the screes shockingly and snatch the phone from her hand... it's the same picture which Chinni has taken in morning... Preeti didn't knew her relation with Sameer and completely in shock seeing their romantic picture together...

Naina muttered slowly looking down feeling nervous, "please Preeti mujhe galat mat samjhna... mein tujhe batane hi waali thi... par samajh nahin aa raha tha ki kaise bataau... sab bohot bohot jyaada complicated hai... I mean kaise samjhaau ki..."

Preeti lift her chin with her finger and asked suspiciously, "you love him?"

Naina shocked staring her with wide eyes and instantly shook her head, "nahin Preeti... aisa nahin hai... I mean hai... matlab kuchh hai.. nahin bohot kuchh hai... matlab jyaada nahin par... oh god, kaise bataau... it's not like what you are thinking... sab bohot complicated hai..." she was hell nervous how to explain Preeti about her tangled relation with Sameer... in real scenario they are married couple but not sharing such relation and staying as a stranger in same house... even she is working in his own company as his assistant and was not allowed to reveal their relation to outer world...

Preeti said pointing towards screen of her mobile showing their starry-eyed picture together, "yeh photo dekha kar toh yahi lagta hai that you too are so close to each other... I mean tumhari aankhon mein ek dusre ke liye pyaar saaf jhalak raha hai... but fine, agar tu nahin batana chahti... I should not ask, sorry..." saying this she stood to go feeling hurt when Naina hold her hand...

Naina make her sit back in front of her, holding her hand, "Preeti... I know tu ne mujhe kabhi force nahin kiya par as a friend, we should be honest to each other... aaj aayi toh thi tera birthday celebrate karne par lagta hai jo baatein adhuri rah gayi hai voh aaj poori ho jayengi..."

She continued with a pause, "tujhe pata hai na Sharad ke baare mein... par tu nahin jaanti ki uske baad meri zindagi phir ek baar ajeeb si raah par chal padi... bina kisi manzil ke... mein aur Mr Maheshwari... matlab... we don't love each other... but... we... I mean I am... means we are married..." she said looking down giving the biggest shock to Preeti...

Sameer reaching home straight went to his room... whole way they both keep thinking about some idea to stay with Naina and Preeti but didn't get any, making them both gloomy... Pandit stayed back outside receiving an urgent call... he seems hesitate to speak in front of Sameer... lost in his own thoughts, Sameer even didn't ask him anything and left alone to his room...

The moment he opened the door of his room, shocked to see the room lit with dim light of night lamp shade... scented candles placed at side table with fresh flowers in vase, giving a soothing aroma in the entire room... a table placed in center of the room filled with so many delicious foods... a proper candlelight dinner... but rather than a soothing feeling it suffocates him to the extent, urging to leave the room immediately without passing a second more there...

Before he reacts, saw Kamya sitting on the couch, crossing her legs... wearing a knee length sleeveless fiery red shimmering dress... tightly clutched to her slender body... she stood walking towards him seductively, exclaimed happily spreading her hands, "surprise..."

Sameer rolled his wheelchair coming inside his room keenly observing the room decoration and her in disdain...

Kamya came forward, "maine socha Naina toh apni friend ke ghar par party kar rahi hai toh kyun na hum bhi yahaan enjoy karein... I mean kitne dinon se mauka hi nahin mila time spend karne ka toh... I am sure you like all this... isn't it nice..." she said praising on her planning for a perfect dinner with him... the moment she got message from Naina, she quickly planned a lavish dinner, setting up a romantic ambience to get close to him...

Sameer glared her when she came to his back side and pushed his wheelchair towards table, "let's have dinner first... baatein toh saari raat karni hai... I am sure, you will love spending time with me... aur aaj ka dinner aap kabhi nahin bhuloge... after all saari planning maine aapki pasand ka khayal rakh kar jo ki hai..."

She starts serving food smilingly when Sameer hold her wrist harshly to stop, "how dare you...?" he scowled on her grimly.... what a bold and shameless woman... how dare she invade his personal space without his permission, even after warning so many times earlier...

Kamya shivered with his sharp tone but keeping herself calm smiled, "please Sameer... after all we are also friends... aur is mein buraai hi kya hai... I mean we are just enjoying dinner together... that's it... it's not first time we are having dinner together... in fact Naina nahin hai toh I thought to give you company... you must be getting bore alone..."

Sameer jerked her hand harshly making all cutlery fall on floor... he shouts, "how dare you came inside this room without permission... didn't I warned you earlier... how could you be so shameless... even if Naina is not at home, this place belongs to her only... don't ever even think to take her place in this house, in this room or in my life... did you get that..." he said gritting his teeth in anger... two days back only he scolds her entering their room without permission, which leads to his fight with Naina... he unintentionally loses his temper and hurt Naina for which he still has guilt...

Kamya got stunned seeing his reaction, she said trying to convince him, "I ... I think... you must be alone... I mean, I was feeling bore so thought why not to spend some time together..." she changed her tone seeing him so much upset but not ready to leave this chance to spend some time with him...

Sameer shouted back, "you think I am a fool... Naina is innocent and can get into your words but not me... how could you even think to hurt her... you know how much she trusts you... more than anyone and you... look at yourself... it's so disgusting and cheap of you to hurt her... but mind it, I will always be with her and will never allowed anyone to hurt her any more..."

Kamya tried to explain, "Sameer... you are taking it all wrong... Naina will not feel bad at all... I know her... usey koi farq nahin padta... varna voh aapko akele chhod kar Preeti ke ghar nahin jaati party karne.... aur usey kahaan yeh sab candlelight dinner vagera ka idea hai... voh toh bas ghar ka maamuli sa khaana banana jaanti hai, which is actually so unhealthy for you... maine dekho sab aapki pasand ka five-star hotel se dinner order kiya hai... I mean yeh sab uske standard ka nahin hai..."

Sameer gets more annoyed listening her rubbish talks against Naina... he came closer harshly holding her arm, "look... I am warning you again... last time... stop flirting with me or you will face worst of me... aur rahi baat Naina ki, you have no rights to talk anything between husband and wife... did you get that... don't dare to say even a single word against her... you can't even stand anywhere in front of her..." saying this he pushed her hard falling back on the table... all dishes toppled over her with aloud screech in the silent room....

Giving her a disgusting look, he turned to move out from the room.... he stopped seeing Pandit entering with a shocked expression seeing Kamya behind him and the messed-up room... he can easily figure out what all had transpired between them...

Sameer turned slightly his head and shouts loudly, "ask servants to remove all this shit from my room... I don't want to see even a single stain left... I hate dirty things..." his words were extremely harsh, which stunned Kamya at once...

He left the room followed by Pandit... leaving Kamya standing there all dazed... tears keep rolling out from her eyes fuming in anger, "no Sameer... yeh tumne bilkul theek nahin kiya... uss Naina ki wajah se tumne jo meri insult ki hai, usey mein kabhi nahin bhulungi..." she said getting more adamant, "Kamya jise chhae voh usey paa kar rehti hai... and I mean it... I promise you ki uss low class Naina ko mein tumhari zindagi se nikaal kar hi rahungi, uske liye chaahe mujhe kuchh bhi karna pade..." she left room seeing servants standing there looking at her shockingly and laughing on her disgusting look, seeing all food stains on her dress and all over her body...

Naina told everything to Preeti about truth of their marriage... his anger after knowing how her family lied to them... how she joined him in his office as his assistant... his rude behavior which was even justified somehow as per her... but didn't told her about baby for which she herself has no explanation even... she knew Preeti will surely believe to her but at this time, it was just about her and Sameer...

Preeti hugged her tightly crying, "Naina, tu ne pehle kyun nahin bataya yeh sab mujhe... I mean kitna sab sah rahi hai akele... tujhe dukh nahin hota... aur har koi sirf tujhe ilzaam de raha hai... kisi ne tere baare mein socha kabhi ki tujh par kya beet rahi hai... tujhe Sameer sir ko apne parents ke baare mein batana chahiye tha... I am sure voh samajhte aur tujhe yun torture nahin karte..."

Naina wiped her tears with a soft smile, "Preeti, mein kaise ek beti hokar apne hi maa baap ki buraai kar sakti thi... maana unhone mujhe chhod diya par hoon toh mein unki beti hi na... apne hi parenst to Sameerji ke saamne sharminda kaise kar sakti hoon mein... vaise bhi maine kisi se bhi ummid karna, sapne dekhna kabhi seekha hi nahin... shayad isiliye kitna bhi dard ho, sah paati hun... na sapne honge na unke tootane par dard hoga... bas ab jo kuchh mahine bache hai mein unhein sukoon se jeena chahti hun..."

Preeti asked surprisingly wiping her tears, "kya matlab kuchh mahine... mein samjhi nahin... tu kahin jaa rahi hai kya..."

Naina said holding her hand firmly, "mein hamare divorce paper sign kar chuki hun... shaadi ke kuchh din baad hi... ab se paanch mahine baad mujhe unhein aur uss ghar ko chhod kar jaana hai... unki zindagi se dur jis mein mere liye koi jagah nahin... sirf nafarat hai... vaise bhi jhuth aur nafarat ki buniyaad pe koi rishta kab tak kaayam rahega... usey toh tootna hi hai... unhone mujhe 6 mahine diye yahi bohot hai mere liye..."

Preeti got shocked unable to react at all... Naina said further, "yeh baat kisi ko nahin pata aur tu waada kar ki kabhi kisi se iss baat ka jikra nahin karegi... tujhe meri kasam Preeti..." she keeps Preeti's hand on her head...

Preeti keep looking her shockingly and pulled her in a bone crushing hug, "mein hoon tere saath... wada karti hoon ki kabhi tera saath nahin chhodungi... aur tu kahin nahin jayegi... yeh ghar bhi toh tera hi hai na... tujhe maine dil se apna maana hai aur hamesha tera saath dungi..."

Naina cried hard pouring all her pains and sorrows... its first time in her life when she was sharing her pain with someone who understand her without judging...

Zikar Hua Jab Khuda Ki Rehmaton Ka,
Humne Khud Ko Khushnaseeb Paya...
Tamanna Thi Ek Pyaare Se Dost Ki,
Khuda Khud Dost Bankar Chala Aaya....

Once their sobs reduce, Naina looked at wall clock, "dekh tera birthday manane aayi thi... socha tujhe khush rakhungi aur khud hi rula diya..." 

She smiled wiping her tears, "par thanks Preeti, meri baat sunane aur samajhane ke liye... tujhe bata kar shayad meri koi mushkil hal na ho par dil ko ek sukoon, ek aaraam sa mila hai... itane dinon se sab apne andar yun chhupa kar tujhe andhere mein nahin rakhna chahti thi par batane ka mauka bhi nahin mila aur himmat bhi nahin huyi... par tujhse khul kar baat karke laga shayad aaj bhi mera koi ek apna hai jiske aage mein dil khol kar kuchh bhi kah sakti hoon... thank you meri zindagi mein aane ke liye aur ek anmol rishta dene ke liye... ab chal aur jaldi se ready ho kar aa... 12 bajane wale hai... tere birthday ki celebration shuru karte hai... ab koi nahin royega... samjhi..." she hugged her tightly getting emotional and feel blessed to have her in her life...

Preeti had no heart left to celebrate but she smiled for her sake thinking, "kitni aasani se mere liye muskura rahi hai par kya mein nahin samajhti ki iska dil kitna ro raha hoga... agar isey khushi milti hai toh yeh hi sahi... shayad thodi der ke liye sab bhool jaaye... isey dil se apni behan maana hai aur shayad iss rishtey ko nibhane ka bhagwanji ne mauka bhi de diya... dukhi thi ki mummy papa chale gaye par apne aashirwaad ke roop mein ek behen de gaye... thank you..."

Dosti toh sirf  ek ittefaq hai,
Yeh toh do  dilon ki mulaqat hai...
Dosti nahin dekhti yeh din hai ki raat hai,
Is mein toh sirf wafadaari aur jazbaat hai....

She stood to go inside to change when Naina move towards kitchen to get the cake out from fridge and placed it on table... Preeti came back and drag her inside room, "aaj mera birthday hi nahin hamari dosti aur rishtey ki bhi nayi shuruaat ho rahi hai... toh donon milkar celebrate karenge... chal tu bhi ready ho mere saath... aaj tujhe apne haath se sajaungi mein... phir milkar cake kitenge aur khoob masti karenge dono poori raat..."

Naina laughed poking on her forehead, "tu bhi na... kya kya baatein aati hai tere dimaag mein... par mein koi dress nahin laayi... achanak program bana toh... tu ready ho ja, mein aise hi theek hun... mujhe aadat bhi nahin inn sab ki..."

Before she further denied Preeti opened a small bag and showed her few new dresses, "Naina, mummy papa yahaan mere paas mere birthday ke liye hi aa rahe the... yeh dekh unhone mere liye kitni saari dresses kharidi thi, par apne haathon se nahin de paaye... aaj unka aashirwaad samajh kar hum donon yeh dresses pehanenge... aur tu mana nahin karegi... shayad unhein pehle hi ehsaas ho gaya tha ki unki ek aur beti hai, isiliye dekh yeh same dress hai but in two different colors... ab tu mana nahin kar sakti..."

How could Naina denied her wish... she agreed and chose to wear a pink chiffon plain suit matching with red baandhani dupatta... Preeti chose to wear blue suit with contrast green bandhaani dupatta of same pattern... both looks identical sisters...

Preeti insist her to keep her hair open which she agreed as doesn't want to deny her request on her special day... after changing her dress Naina looked herself in mirror... after a long time, she dressed up like this... she was happy today that at least she has someone beside her who loved her unconditional... unbiased... not forcing her for anything... Preeti just want only her happiness...

While Preeti placed a small round bindi on her forehead suddenly asked, "Naina, ek baat puchhu... I mean jaise tu ne bataya ki Sir tujhse nafarat karte hai, tumhara divorce, par sach kahun toh jis tarah maine unki aankhon mein tere liye tadap dekhi thi jab tera kidnap hua tha ya tu behosh huyi thi office mein... teri fiqr, teri chinta... unki restlessness... I mean voh sab kya tha... dekh yeh toh maine tujhe pehle bhi bataya tha na... tab laga mera vaham hai par ab yaad karti hun toh... aur aaj tum donon ki voh mobile mein picture... usey dekh kar koi nahin kahega ki tumhare beech itni duriyaan hai... koi kadwahat hai... it was all so beautiful yaar... I mean made for each other types..."

Naina said lowering her eyes, "Preeti aisa kuchh nahin hai jaisa tujhe lagta hai... pata hai meri kismat bhi na bilkul ajeeb si hai... Sharad ne mujhe dhokha diya kyunki voh kisi aur se pyaar karta tha... usey apni zindagi banana chahta tha.... aur mere dhokhe aur sach chhupane ki wajah se Sameerji kabhi mujhe pyaar kar hi nahin paaye... unki zindagi mein mere liye koi jagah nahin... donon taraf se haar sirf meri huyi... tu nahin samjhegi par unki nafarat, unka gussa dekha hai maine... aur inn sab mein pyaar ka sapna... nahin himmat ab mujh mein... jo jaisa hai, theek hai... aur jo hoga voh meri kismat..."

Naina recall how they were together in mandir today and after that in their room... so close to each other... she lost in her thoughts, "is this was what Preeti referring... is that was really love... kya sach mein unki aankhen... matlab voh bhi shayad... nahin mujhe yeh sab nahin sochna... aur takleef nahin deni khud ko... na maine pehle kabhi sapne dekhe hai aur na kabhi dekhungi... meri kismat ne hamesha mujhe dhokha diya hai aur yeh sapne mujhe ek jhuthi ummid se jyaada kuchh nahin de sakte..." she jerked all thoughts from her mind... but whatever and how much she can try, it's truly said... you can control your mind but not your heart which was missing someone badly... his presence, to be near him...

Preeti seeing her lost hold her hand, "sorry par mein tera dil nahin dukhana chahti thi... bas man mein aaya toh puchh liya... kyunki jis tarah voh tujhe dekhte hai... matlab ho sakta hai unki narazagi shuru mein rahi ho par ab tujhe jaankar, tujhe samajh kar unka dil tere liye... I mean shayad ab voh bhi tujhse pyaar karne lage ho..." she said with a naughty smile on her face...

Naina feeling shy avoid further discussion... she holds her arm to drag her out in hall, "ab yeh sab chhod aur chal cake kaatate hai... varna poori raat mere saath tu bhi udaas rahegi aur birthday girl ko rona aur udaas hona bilkul allowed nahin... samjhi..." they both smiled and came out in hall to cut the cake... 

I dedicated this chapter to Naina & Preeti's friendship... it was long awaited that Naina should tell her all truth... Hope you all like the way they share their feelings and accept each other whole heartedly... ek hi cahpter mein dosti ko do roop... ek dhokhebaaz 👹 aur dusri hamdard😘😘 ...

 Will try to post next part soon... till then enjoy 😊